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Colombia's presidential race is now down to two candidates, and despite the close race
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they couldn't be further apart. Right-wing lawyer and political outsider Abelardo de la Espriella
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finished first in Sunday's vote, winning more than 43 percent of the ballots cast
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Left-wing Senator Iván Cepeda was close behind with just over 40 percent
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Neither candidate cleared the 50 percent needed to win outright, sending the race to a June 21st
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runoff. The results, though, are already facing pushback. Cepeda and outgoing President Gustavo
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Petro have raised concerns about preliminary vote counts, citing possible software problems
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and discrepancies in the tabulation process. Election officials have defended the count
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and Human Rights Watch's America's director called Colombia's electoral system trustworthy, urging political leaders to respect the results. The election is unfolding against rising violence
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growing security concerns, and record cocaine production. The two finalists are offering
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voters starkly different visions for the country. De La Espriella has campaigned as a law and order
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outsider, drawing comparisons to President Trump and promising a tougher crackdown on crime
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Cepeda has backed continuing peace talks with armed groups and argues negotiation is the better path to reducing violence
